15 Best Labor Day REI Sale Deals on Outdoor Gear

The end of summer is bittersweet. On one hand, we have to say goodbye to warm weather and the season’s carefree attitude. On the other hand, the start of fall means prime hiking and camping weather—and the massive Labor Day weekend REI sale to stock up on necessary gear and more.

Labor Day isn’t until September 1, but REI is kicking off its big sale a week early. Starting today, August 22, the outdoor gear retailer has discounted camping supplies, hiking boots and clothes, tents, and more up to 50 percent off. (REI members even get an extra 20 percent off one outlet item.) 

As an avid hiker, camper, and longtime REI member, I use the Labor Day sale to upgrade the gear that met its end over the summer—the tent poles I misplaced, the leggings I wore holes into, or the boots that finally ripped after many miles. Below, I pulled out 15 items I’m eyeing, from a top-rated tent to a rain jacket for the wet fall weather to come.

Best REI Deals Overall

Eno DoubleNest Hammock

REI is offering 25 percent off all Eno hammocks for Labor Day weekend, including the top-rated DoubleNest, designed to fit two people. Eno is a fan-favorite hammock brand for its soft yet durable fabric and how small the portable nap pods can be when packed down. Folded up, this double-capacity version is as small as 6 by 5 inches, which can easily fit in a backpack.

Osprey Women’s Aura AG 65 Pack

Select Osprey packs, including the Aura, are also 25 percent off for the next week. It comes in a 50-liter capacity, great for a long weekend hike, and a 65-liter capacity for more ambitious ventures. This larger capacity was big enough for me to lug three months’ worth of gear through four countries in Southeast Asia. As someone who’s been through quite a few packs over 10 years of backpacking and travel, I can confidently say that Osprey bags are the most comfortable.

Keen Women’s Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

If your hiking boots are in dire need of an upgrade (like mine), you might want to take advantage of $45 off these best-selling Targhee IVs by Keen. They’re protected by a waterproof membrane that reviewers say allows rain and snow to roll right off without seeping into your socks and ruining your day. They’re spacious in the toe box and forefoot area, so you can take on some varied terrain without crunched toes and budding blisters. Meanwhile, the chunky lugs on the outsole give the boots superior grip.

Cotopaxi Amado Fleece Pullover

Go ahead and enjoy one last sun-drenched pool or beach session this Labor Day weekend, but keep in mind that cooler weather is around the corner, for better or worse. Get prepared for chilly days while this Cotopaxi fleece is on sale. Right now, you can score 46 percent off this men’s Cotopaxi Amado Fleece Pullover, a packable jacket that is a “go-to” layer of reviewers on chillier mornings, and it can be used as an underlayer when temperatures drop. 

REI Co-op Women’s Rainier Rain Jacket

You know what fall also brings? Rain. Stay dry on your leaf peeping walkabouts with a water-tight shell like the REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket, now 30 percent off. It keeps you sheltered from the weather—rain and wind included—with layers of recycled ripstop nylon. And there’s nothing worse than sweating under your waterproof layers, so the zippable armpit vents are a big bonus. 

The North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent

Squeeze in one more season of camping with this top-tier The North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent, suitable for use from spring through fall. It covers an area of 87 by 50 inches (that’s more than seven feet long and four feet wide), so you and your adventure buddy can both fit cozily inside it for a night in the wild. A reviewer described it as “extremely robust, easy to set up, and affordable”—and the price is even more enticing at 25 percent off.

LifeStraw Peak Series Water Filter Straw

Anyone who hikes long distances or in hot climates should have a water filtration system—that’s hiking safety 101. The LifeStraw Peak Series Straw weighs just over two ounces and captures 99.9 percent of bacteria and parasites, providing clean water no matter how far you are from civilization. It’s a must for your emergency stash or ultralight backpacking endeavors. This Labor Day weekend, you can snag the potential lifesaver for under $20.

REI Co-op Women’s Sahara Shade Hoodie

Some of the best Labor Day sales at REI are on REI Co-op-brand clothing. You can get 30 percent off this women’s sun hoodie, for example, which provides a UPF 50+ rating. Don’t think for a second that you can slack on sun protection just because it’s fall—keep wearing your sun layers through the coming season, and prioritize breathable, cooling materials. One reviewer found this hoodie comfortable and protective enough to hike the entire 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in it.

Kelty Chef Roll Bag

Check out this hanging organizer with four zipper pockets perfectly sized to fit cooking tools and utensils, spices, or even small items, not for the camp kitchen. One reviewer who’s been camping for 50 years called it “a winner.” When you’re ready to pack it, roll it up and use the attached strap to keep it compact and together.

Kuhl Men’s Renegade Recon Pants

These are some of the best hiking pants for men, and they’re 25 percent off for the holiday. What makes these Kuhl pants so special is how lightweight and durable they are for serious outdoor wear, while also being polished enough to wear to a restaurant. “These pants can do it all,” a reviewer wrote after “putting them through the paces in the mountains around Denali [National] Park.” They added that they actually look forward to putting them on and that the pants have “performed beyond expectations.”

Nemo Women’s Disco 15 Endless Promise Down Sleeping Bag

A good sleeping bag can be costly—as much as $300 or more. These are the kind of big-ticket items you should keep an eye on when a sale rolls around. Right now, you can save $75 on the 4.8-star Nemo Disco 15, one of many sleeping bags that are included in the REI sale. Its spoonlike shape gives you extra room in the elbow and knee areas so you’re not too restricted, and the down is rated for comfort and warmth down to 17 degrees. 

REI Co-op Roadtripper 40 Duffel

Grab this classic 40-liter REI Co-op duffel for just $35, 30 percent off the regular price. You can pack a weekend’s worth of outfits in it, and throw it in the trunk for a road trip or carry it onto a plane and slot it into the overhead compartment. Its simple design means you can fold it up to fit inside the included 9.5-by-7.5-inch storage pouch to pack it inside your suitcase and use it at your destination.

PrAna Women’s Stretch Zion Halle Pants

PrAna’s Stretch Zion Halle Pants have all the features you want in a pair of versatile and comfortable outdoor bottoms. They’re stretchy, moisture-wicking, sun-shielding, and abundant with pockets (six, including one that’s hidden). On the outside, they fasten with a button like your favorite jeans, but inside the waistline is a concealed drawstring that ensures a more custom fit. They come in short and tall sizes as well, all 25 percent off this week.

Kelty Low Loveseat

Personally, my favorite part of shopping at REI stores is playing around with the cool camping gadgets—from the innovative cooking accessories to comfy camping chairs like this Kelty Low Loveseat. It’s large enough that you can cuddle up around the fire with your loved one, or seat the kids together so they can share the camp snacks. Dogs have been known to take over this pop-up sofa, too. A reviewer said it’s the best camp chair they’ve ever owned, recommending that you’ll love it so much, you’ll want to buy two.

REI Co-op Women’s Activator Soft-shell Hoodie

This REI Co-op hoodie, marked down from $169 to $102, can serve as a lightweight windbreaker as you walk across a blustery ridgeline, or you can pack it with your snow gear to sport as an underlayer. It’s water-repellent, moisture-wicking, and breathable, so you don’t have to worry about getting too warm and sweaty in it. It’s a great multifunctional jacket to have in your arsenal for all seasons.

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